Full Breakdown
U.S. Forces to Exit Iraq by Sept. 30, 2026 Amid Push to Disarm Iran-Backed Militias
7/15/2026, 12:36:59 AM
Withdrawal Timeline
Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi announced that all remaining U.S. military personnel will leave Iraq on September 30, 2026. The decision follows a September 2024 agreement for a phased drawdown that began after the Kurdish regional government requested continued counter-Islamic State (ISIS) support. Current deployments are concentrated at Harir Air Base in Erbil, a base near Baghdad airport, and the Green Zone in the capital.
Context and Prior Agreements
The withdrawal is tied to the Iraqi government’s plan to disarm “powerful Iran-backed militias,” a condition al-Zaidi emphasized during his Washington visit. The move echoes earlier U.S. pullouts: a 2011 exit under President Barack Obama and a 2024 reduction that left roughly 2,000 troops in Iraq. President Donald Trump framed the September 30 deadline as the point when “American companies will enter” Iraq, signaling a shift from a security-focused presence to economic engagement.
Economic Partnership Details
Al-Zaidi’s trip centered on securing investment in Iraq’s oil, gas, and power sectors. Negotiations involve Iraq, Chevron, TI Capital, and Qatar’s UCC to sign a deal for a 2 million-barrel-per-day pipeline linking Basra to Haditha, with extensions to ports in Turkey and Syria. Trump highlighted Iraq’s “tremendous potential because of their oil” and pledged “a lot of deals” that would create jobs in both nations.
Official Statements & Responses
- Ali al-Zaidi (via translator): “On September 30th, American forces will leave, and American companies will enter.” He added that after the deadline “we will not allow any entity to bear arms outside the state.”
- Donald Trump (White House): “Well, we don’t think we need the military there anymore.” He also said, “We’re going to be doing a lot of deals… we’re going to create a lot of jobs for both countries, and we’re going to be taking out a lot of oil.”
Sources differ on troop counts: Reuters notes the force has declined to about 2,500 troops, while the New York Post cites roughly 2,000 stationed mainly at Harir Air Base.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Well, we don't think we need the military there anymore,” — Donald Trump, President of the United States
- “We're going to be doing a lot of deals,” — Donald Trump, President of the United States
- “On September 30th, American forces will leave, and American companies will enter,” — Ali al-Zaidi, Prime Minister of Iraq
- “After 30 September, we will not allow any entity to bear arms outside the state.” — Ali al-Zaidi, Prime Minister of Iraq
